I don’t remember when the last time I cried was; I guess I subconsciously believe it’s crucial especially for women these days to be strong and tough and tears are not welcomed in the corporate world. Believe it or not, I have just flooded my living room watching this movie from Japan called "A Tale of Mari and Three Puppies" and I am so glad that I wasn’t in a movie theater but in the comfort of my own sanctuary. I came to realize that I am not a robot and that I do have tears and emotions; plenty of them.
I am not going to spoil the fun as it’s best to see it for yourself; the sceneries, the plot, the sound track, not to mention the excellent performance of the protagonists including a 5-year-old girl and her canine buddy Mari. I can’t help wondering how a girl her age and a man’s best friend in the wild could actually play out their respective roles with such magnificence. I mean how on earth did the director capture their emotions and behaviors to the point of perfection? Did the pups know that they were in front of the camera?
My first tear came when the little girl was injured after a major earthquake and the rescue team had to take her away from Mari and her 3 pups in emergency. Mari was running and panting after the helicopter until it was out of sight. Separation hurts as we all know it but I see something else…Mari was so determined to get her Master out of the critical circumstance to the point that stepping on broken glasses and digging overnight didn’t deter her from saving her Master. What would a human do in such calamities? The SPIRIT of hope and loyalty is salient.
It is important to mention that Mari never regretted her heroic action and bear no grudges against the girl for abandoning her. Mari and her pups were hopeful and fought for their lives. I found myself using up a box of Kleenex when, 16 days later, the girl returned to the site only to find Mari and her pups well and alive. Mari was sitting on the meadow, her head resting on the girl’s shoulder in their embrace. Mari never questioned her love and she was so grateful about her return. The wait and the hope in Mari are worth it. I bet most humans would have given up hope and most would be feeling betrayed and vengeful. Again, it is the SPIRIT of our goodness in action.
There is so much to emulate from the animal kingdom. My spirit was lifted too as I started typing away…
Happy Viewing!
- Rosa Wong
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